FAQs

EGYHOP has been operating a homeless outreach program out of downtown Olympia since 1998.

We operate 7 nights a week, 365 days a year and have spent over 17,000 hours on the streets.

We are 100% volunteer run. Not one person is paid for the work we do.

Our annual budget is less than $5000 and is spent exclusively on supplies.

We obtain our supplies through donations in kind and direct purchases made with fundraised money.

How We Work

Each night a team of two volunteers spend 3-8 hours riding bikes equipped with trailers carrying a stock of emergency supplies, first aid supplies, camping supplies, clothing, socks, coffee, donated food, and information on local services among many other things.

Typical shifts start at 6:00 pm and go anywhere from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am depending on the need.

We only ride at night and we only operate within downtown Olympia.

Based on estimates from 1998 we have handed out over 17,000 blankets, 50,000 doses of Ibuprofen, Tylenol and multi-vitamins, 11,000 gallons of hot coffee and over 50,000 pairs of clean socks.

EGYHOP Syringe Exchange

We operate a syringe exchange program in partnership with The Peoples Harm Reduction Alliance.

We collect hundreds to thousands of used syringes every night during our outreach shifts.

We distribute clean syringes and supplies for users to inject as safely as possible and to prevent the spread of Hepatitis C, HIV and AIDS transmission in our community.

We distribute small biohazard containers so users have a safe and sealed place to collect used syringes.

We distribute the lifesaving medication Naloxone, which is a non-narcotic medication that reverses opiate overdoses.

We are not a one for one exchange.

In 2013, we collected 350,000 used syringes and distributed 300,000 clean syringes and supplies.

We consistently collect more syringes then we give out each year.

Studies show that syringe exchange does not correlate with higher rates of drug dealing or discarded needles in public places.

We see the street community as an important and integral part of Olympia. Our mission and values are expressed through our outreach work.